Julie Chen Moonves Reveals Advice She’d Give Herself About Hosting ‘Big Brother’ Season 1

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Julie Chen Moonves Reveals Advice She’d Give Herself About Hosting ‘Big Brother’ Season 1

30.08.2026 30 August 2026
1981
2 min.
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Julie Chen Moonves Reflects on Her Early ‘Big Brother’ Years as Show Hits 1,000 Episodes

Julie Chen Moonves is celebrating a major Big Brother milestone while looking back at the lessons she learned during the show’s early years.

Speaking to Us on Thursday, August 27, as the CBS reality series marked its 1,000th episode, Chen Moonves, 56, admitted she was initially reluctant to challenge scripted lines that did not feel natural to her.

“I would tell Julie Chen, season 1, ‘Don’t let them make you say it if it’s something you wouldn’t say or if it doesn’t feel right,’” she said.

The former CBS news anchor and producer joined Big Brother when the U.S. version premiered in 2000. Over time, she developed a more confident hosting style and became one of the franchise’s most recognizable figures. Her long-running role has now included 1,000 episodes and two Guinness World Records.

The wider Big Brother format was created by Dutch producer John de Mol Jr., while longtime executive producer Allison Grodner has played a major role in shaping the American edition during its lengthy CBS run.

Despite her experience, Chen Moonves said the HouseGuests can still surprise her, particularly with how quickly they place trust in other players despite knowing how often alliances and promises are broken.

Reflecting on past seasons, she named the season 2 Chilltown alliance featuring Dr. Will Kirby, Mike “Boogie” Malin and Shannon Dragoo among her favorites. Chen Moonves said she would especially like to see Kirby and Malin return together.

She is also watching season 28 closely. Chen Moonves highlighted Taylor Brown for her strategic instincts, knowing when to stay quiet and offering advice to Lala LaTrice Verrett, while also bringing strong entertainment value to the house.

Big Brother season 28 airs on CBS Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.

CHEN MOONVES Julie

American television personality
#715
KIRBY William

American aesthetic dermatologist
#1310
DE MOL Johannes

Dutch media proprietor
#226
GRODNER Allison

American director
#236
Us Weekly

#1
CBS News

#9

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